Right to Life asks why is the life of a Kea worth more than the life a Human Child.

It is a sad commentary on our society that the killing of a Kea incurs the full weight of the law and the wrath of the court and the community while a Wellington doctor who was responsible for killing thousands of innocent and defenceless unborn children was honoured by the Queen with a Knighthood for “services to women.”
A 46 year old construction worker, was sentenced to 150 hours community work by Judge Tony Zohrab in the Nelson District Court on 23 January for killing a kea, an endangered species in the Motueka Valley in July 2017. Juliette Irwin, the prosecuting lawyer for DOC sought a fine of between $10,000 and $15,000. She stated that, “this was a callous killing, we have an animal victim who is defenceless and unable to complain.” The Judge accepted that the accused was unable to pay a fine.

Under the Wildlife Act 1953, the Kea is an absolutely protected species. Its killing is a serious crime, on conviction the offender may be fined up to $100,000, or imprisoned for up to two years. This crime was considered important news and was given extensive coverage by all the media in New Zealand.But again we ask why is a Kea given absolute legal protection for its right to life, while the unborn child’s right to life is given no legal protection?

While we acknowledge that it is important that we have respect and have legislation protecting the right to life of endangered species, Right to Life questions why our nation is prepared to legislate for absolute protection for the right to life of endangered species, yet is not prepared to respect or provide any legal protection for the right to life of children in the womb.

At the same time an estimated 35 children in the womb are deprived of their life each day in New Zealand with the permission of Parliament, government and the community.

It is an appalling injustice that the Labour led government of Jacinda Ardern is committed to decriminalising abortion as they believe that it is not a crime to kill an unborn child. The government is of course committed to retaining the killing of a Kea as a crime.